Sachusetts



(No Model.)

J. L. YOST.

AXLE LUBRIGATOR.

No. 362,865. Patented May 10, 1887.

N. PETERS, Phowumo m her, Washmglan. acv

NlTE STATES JOSEPH L. YOST, OF XVALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SPRINGFIELD BICYCLE MANUFACTUPJNG COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MAS- SACHUSETTS.

AXLE-LUBRICATOR.

SPECKPIQATIQN forming part of Letters PatentNol 362,865, dated May 10,1887.

Application filed November 26, 1886. Serial No. 219,924. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr L. Yos'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vallingford, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lubricating Devices for Bicycle and other \Vheels, 01' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in lubricating devices for wheels gener ally, and particularly to that class known as bicycles, and while it is shown as applied to that class of wheels which are designed to be fixed upon and rotate with the axle, it will be understood that it maybe advantageously em ployed with wheels which are designed to rotate upon a fixed axle.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple, and easily-controlled means for 2 lubrication, and one by which the flow o'flubricant may be successfully graduated or controlled. XVith these objects in view my invention consists of the features of construction and combination of mechanical devices hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.

In order that others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may fully understand the same, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in

V which Figure l is an elevation, partly in section, showing a portion of the standard of an ordinary bicycle, with the axle of the wheel in position and my improved oiling device attached thereto. at right angles tothat shown at Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view with the standard partly in section, and Fig. i is an internal face view of the 0 oil-receiving disk or cup.

Similar letters indicate like parts in the several figures.

A is the axle of an ordinary wheel, such as used in bicycles, and B is one portion of the bifurcated standard, which is extended laterally at its lower extremity to form a bearing or journal-box for the rotating axle A of the wheel. The outer end of this bearing 13 is formed with an annular recess, a, surrounding Fig. 2 is an end view taken the axle A, and is designed to receive a fibrous U or porous collar or packing, as indicated by the parallel vertical straight lines seen at Fig. l.

C is a ring adapted to pass on the axle A and to come into contact with the end of the jourinilbearing B (or end of a wheel-hub, as the case may be) by reason of the flange C, the body of the ring being turned down to such diameter and being of sufficient length to enter the annular recess in the end of the bearingB and to press with greater or less force upon the fibrous orporous collar or packing a, in an obvious manner, by the retaining-nut D upon the threaded end of the axle. The body portion of the ring C is formed with an annular groove or oil-recess, b, which, when the ring is in proper position, as clearly shown at Figs. 1 and 3, has its only open side closed by contact with the fibrous packing a in the end of the standard or hub B.

The extreme end of the hub or standard B and the edge of the ring 0 are each formed with a suitable radial channel or opening, a, (which should be on top,) for the purpose of introducing the lubricating material when it is of such consistency as to flow freely.

It will be readily understood that when the axle A has been located within the hearing or hub 13, and the ring C placed within and against the end of said hub or bearing, the nut 8 J D is run up on the thread at the end of the axle, and as a consequence the lubricant-chair 1101 b is brought directly against the packing a, which readily absorbs the said lubricant and transmits it to the axle A in a uniform man- 8 nor and without liability of flooding or wasting, the celerity or rapidity of supply being governed both by the degree of porosity of the packing a and the fluidity of the lubricant; and it will be readily understood that 0 density and capillary action of the packing a can be nicely adjusted and controlled by compressing it to a greater or less degree by the ring C.

Vhen a very rapid transfer of the lubricant 5 is desired, or when the latter is composed of a semi-fluid or comparatively hard substance, the porous packing a may be dispensed with;

but in practice I have found it most desirable I axle A and the hub or bearing B, provided at to employ a fluid lubricant and the porous packing. The loss of lubricant from the chain ber 11 resulting from consumption is supplied through the filling channel or groove (6 as often as occasion may require. It will beseen that with my improved lubricating device a comparatively large supply of lubricant may be employed, and that it is so located as to be entirely out of sight and not liable to waste, and absolutely protected from dirt and dust, if so desired, by the employment of any sort of suitable cap or plug to the filling-channel a.

It will be understood that when the wheel revolves around the axle the same generic feature of invention may be employed by providing the end of the wheel-hub with a suitable recess for the reception of the porous packing and end of the body of the ring.

Having described the nature and advantages of my invention,what I claim as'new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the journal or its outer end with an annular recess adapted to contain fibrous or porous packing a, the closing-ring 0, having an oil or lubricant channel, b, the whole adapted to be brought in proper relation by the retaining-nut D, substantially as hereinbeforc set forth.

2. The oil-ring 0, formed with the annular flange O and projecting body ofsmallerdiame- -ter, and having therein an annular oil channel or recess, 1), substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The bearing B and ring 0, provided with the oil-inlet a, whereby the supply may be replenished, substantially as hereinbcfore set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereuntoset my hand in the presence of twov subscribing witnesscs.

. JOSEPH L. YOST. \Vitnesses;

EDWARD A. STEVENS, CLIFFORD LEwIs. 

